The I ♥ Cebu blog by Peanut Browas

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board or the LTFRB board approved the fare rates for the SM buses in Metro Cebu, as shown on a recent report from Cebu Daily News. However, it appears Cebuanos cannot ride the MyBus just yet since the franchise application for the buses yet to be approved, Regional Director Rey Elnar of the LTFRB said

The approved fare rates for the buses are P25 from Barangay Mambaling to Talisay City, P40 from Parkmall or the North Bus Terminal to Talisay City, and P75 from the Mactan-Cebu International Airport to Talisay City.

MyBus - image source: sunstar.com.ph

A number of MyBus units were used a shuttle for employees to and from the SM Seaside City Mall recently. To get a free ride, passengers presented their IDs to show they are employees of SM or the retail shops of the mall.

For the moment, the franchise to operate a high-quality public transport service or HQPTS of Metro Rapid Transit Services has yet to be approved by the LTFRB. The central office is reportedly waiting for a reply from the transport groups that oppose the operation of the buses on the comments made by the operator during a public hearing last month.

MyBus - image source: cebudailynews.inquirer.net

A roadside inspection was conducted by a team from the franchising agency to evaluate the dry run of the new bus units. Assistant Information Office Emil Membrillas of the LTFRB 7 said no fare was collected during the dry run. The dry run came before the scheduled opening of the SM Seaside City Mall on November 27. The new mall is the biggest SM mall outside of Metro Manila. It is also the fourth biggest mall in the country. A tent with monobloc chairs served as the temporary bus station at the parking lot of SM City Cebu. Buses left the mall every hour. Each trip to the SM Seaside City Mall takes around 25 minutes.

Each air-conditioned MyBus units have two doors, one each in front and at the center. The buses can carry fifty passengers each. Among the features of the new buses are two closed-circuit television units in front and another two at the back. The video footage can be seen through a monitor positioned in front. Wi-Fi connectivity, a global positioning system and an electronic ticketing system are also set to be installed in each unit.

MyBus - image source: cebudailynews.inquirer.net

Overhead hand grips are found along the middle portion of the bus for passengers who cannot find seats. The first row is set aside for persons with disabilities while a white seat close to the center door is reserved for passengers on a wheelchair.

During a public consultation last October 16, transport group officials submitted position papers opposing the operation of the MyBus units. The transport groups indicated that urban traffic will worsen if the franchise for the bus service is approved. They also said it will cause them to suffer financial losses. The opposition by the transport group prevents the LTFRB from issuing a provisional authority to the Metro Rapid Transit, said Elnar

MyBus - image source: tumblr.com

While it will be necessary for the operator to set up bus stops and stalls along the route, the sites for these bus stops have yet to be identified. However, Robinsons Land Corp. requested to have a bus stop established at the soon-to-be-opened Robinsons Galleria Cebu, which is located in the North Reclamation Area.

The operator is also required to submit monthly reports on the operations of the buses. Daily safety and maintenance checks should also be conducted by the operator before the buses leave in the morning. Raw data from the CCTV cameras, GPS and ticketing system should also be made available to the LTFRB whenever necessary.

For the moment, no jeepney serves the South Road Properties area when the SM Seaside City Mall is located. Due to this, it is essential for the operators to get a franchise as soon as possible to allow the MyBus units to start plying the route.